Wheel.



PATENTED 33.19, 1903;.

W. F. GRELL.

WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27, 1906.

' In ventor:

%%wu 47 15 WW M W32 UNITED s'rnrns PATENT 'ors'ros.

WILLIAM GRELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19, 1907.

Application filed January27, 1906- Seiial No. 298,186.

spring-wheels for vehicles; and the wheel is primarily designed to obviate the necessity of using-pneumatic tires and the consequent delays and inconvenience caused by punctures and valve nuisances.

Further objects of the invention will hereinafter appear; and to these ends the invention consists of a spring-wheel for carrying out the above objects embodying the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts having the general mode of o eration substantially as hereinafter fully d scribed and claimed in this specification and shown in the accompanying drawing, whichis a side elevation of a wheel, part1 insection.

The whee is provided inthis instance with hollow steel spokes B, attached to the hub A by means of the bolts D. The spokes B are preferably held rigid by the steel ring C, attached thereto. Y

i The rim of the wheel is preferably divided into segments E-in this instance one for each spoke-and said segments are held in their respective positions, as shown, by the steel springs F and L, which are preferably hat and placed back to back and, as shown, in-

serted in the ends of the hollow spokes B. The springs F and L are preferably fastened to the spokes by bolts G passing through the spokes and the springs. The segments E are referably fastened rigidly to the flat springs and -Lip this instance by the bolts H passing th ough the ends of the springs F and the segments E.

Any number of 'pairs of fiat steel springs may be used ,"two pairs F and L being shown in all but one of the spokes. One spoke shows the use .of only one pair of fiat steel springs F. The curve of the springs can be varied to carr different weights and to give a greater or less amount of elasticity, as required.

The ends J of the sections E maybe made to overlap each other, and in that case the -wheel when loaded will rest upon one of the sections-E, compressingthe fiat steel springs F and L, and as the wheel continues to turnin the direction of the arrow part of the strain Wlll be transmitted to the section next in advance, and so on around. This will prevent any sudden strain suddenly being laced upon anyone ofthe sections next in a Vance by gradually shifting the strain from one section to the other as the wheel turns, although under ordinary loads each section operates independent of any other section.-

At the top of the wheel a modified section E is shown with the ends K cut on a radial line, and the whole wheel may be made this It will be seen that a wheel with thd above improvements will provide a flexible spring surface which will reduce jar and wear-to a minimum and also provide a running-surface that will greatly reduce the vibration incomparison with solid rubber or metal tires.

The material used, the weight of the parts, the number of spokes, and other details of construction may be varied according to the nature of the vehicle to which the wheel is to be'applied.

- A wheel constructed as abpve described has all the good points of a wheel whose rim is made in one piece and at the same time has all the advantages of a sectional rim. When the lo ad is centered in the middle of a section, all thesprings attached to that particular section are in compression; but as the load seen that the end of the section on being compressed. comes in contact with the end of the other section next in advance. Both sections take an equal amount of strain when the center of the load is over the ends of the two sections. By cutting the end of the rimsections in this manner no heavy jar or jolt will be placed upon any section as it first touches the ground, as the end of the section just leaving the ground pushes it up enough to let it readily replace the section leaving the ground.

The arrangement of the springs and the shape of the same as shown provides a most I Qt . tion.

The pairs of springs diverging at the outer ends affords ample provision for attaching the springs to the rim-sections by means of bolts. Several pairs of springs may be used and fastened in this manner one pair inside the other, the number, of pairs depending u on the length of the-rim-sections. vAll'of t e springs from any one section are made to converge toward the center of the wheel, the inner ends of the sprin s being fastenedto the outer end of one of t e spokes.

If a hollow spoke is used, all of the inner ends of the springs can be held'rigidly by means of one bolt. In case a solid spoke is used the springs may be fastened in pairs alon the length of the spoke;

W at I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. .In a spring-wheel for a vehicle, the combination of a hub, a number of spokes radiating from the hub, a sectional rim, one sec tion for each spoke, flexible spring-spokes placed back to back in pairs, the inner ends attached to the end of each spoke the outer ends-being bent and attached to each end of the rim-sections.

2. In a spring-wheel for a vehicle, the combination of a hub, a number, of spokes radiating from the hub, a sectional rim, one section for each spoke, a number of flexible spring-spokes placed back to back in pairs,

cease? the inner ends attached to the end of' each spoke, the outer ends being bent and attached to each end of the rim-sections, the ends of said rim-sections being formed so as to overlapone another,

3. In a s ring-wheel for a vehicle, the combination 0 a hub, a number of spokes radiating from the hub, a sectional rim, one section for each spoke, a number of flexible spring-spokes placed back to back'in pairs, means for attaching the inner ends of'the springs to the spokes, and means for attaching the bent outer ends of the springs to the ends of the rim-sections, said ends being formed to partially shift the load on the next preceding rim-section.

4. In a spring-wheel for a vehicle, the combination of a hub, a number of spokes radiating from'the hub, a sectional rim, one seetion for each spoke, a number of flexible spring-spokes placed back to back in pairs, bolts for attaching the inner ends of the springs to the spokes, and bolts for attaching t e bent outer ends of the springs to the ends of the rim-sections.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, I WILLIAM F. GRELL. Witnesses:

OLIN A. FOSTER,

'LEo J. MATTY. 

